Settlement Workers in Schools Durham, is a school-based program that assists newcomer students and their families deal with the adjustments to their new society and school system. The settlement worker comes into the school to connect families with initial settlement services. The program is open to all families in the school community.

SWIS Durham is a partnership of the Durham District School Board (DDSB), the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Community Development Council Durham (CDCD).

SWIS Durham assigns a settlement worker to every school. A newcomer family may access a school based settlement worker regardless of their location in Durham. The SWIS Durham team through a network of institutions, community agencies, cultural organizations and support groups;

·        Assists newcomers in accessing school and community resources;

·        Links newcomers with social and cultural services;

·        Assists newcomer families and school staff increase understanding and respond to the diverse ethnic, cultural, religious and racial backgrounds of the population

·        Assist newcomer youth and their families integrate into their local school.

Your settlement worker is Joy Tan. Joy will be able to help with information about employment, health care, housing, homework help, understanding report cards, immigration, legal rights, recreational opportunities and many more concerns you may have. You can contact Joy by phoning (905) 903 – 0590 or by completing and returning a consent form available at our main office and available below in a number of different languages.

• English
• French
• Chinese  (simplified)
• Spanish
• Arabic
• Bengali
• Dari
• Farsi
• Hindi
• Korean
• Pilipino (Tagalog)
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Tamil
• Turkish
• Vietnamese

Learning about the education system is part of the settlement process. Ms. Tan can explain essential school information and refer you to the appropriate school staff as necessary. The SWIS program has developed a series of handouts on key school topics.  Please select a language choice below to download the Newcomers' Guide to Elementary School.